Let’s talk recognition with Reconciliation SA
Above: Reconciliation SA was really pleased to have Nevada Brown and Grant Paulson from the national Reconciliation Australia Office as guests at the third Schools Congress in Marion pictured here with the Wirreanda High School students as well as the State Manager of Reconciliation SA, Mark Waters.
Reconciliation SA ran its Schools Congress series this year with the theme of “Citizenship: Let’s Talk Recognition”. The Congress built on the excellent resources in the 2011 Education Pack distributed to all schools in South Australia in May. Schools Congress has been run over the past four years in SA and targets conversations between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal opinion leaders in schools between Years 8–11.
In previous years, one Congress was held centrally, but this year the program went regional and was delivered in two metropolitans regions, Playford and Marion and at Port Augusta. 185 participants from 21 different schools attended and were involved in a program focussed on kinship run by Lynette Riley from Sydney University. The program helps students to understand the cultural links and moiety system that existed in Aboriginal
communities before the invasion of the
Jade Pass, a young Aboriginal woman
British in 1836 in SA.
from Alice Springs, is a Year 11 student
It also helps students realise the affect
at Loreto College. She participated in
that the arrival of British colonists had
the 2010 Schools Congress and was
in breaking down the cultural rules and
a highlight as the keynote speaker at
traditional associations with families and
Schools Congress.
land and water.
Reconciliation SA intends to follow up
In the afternoon session, Citizenship
with each of the schools that participated
and Human Rights, in particular the UN
in Schools Congress to check progress on
Declaration upon the Rights of Indigenous
reconciliation action and provide advice
Peoples, were explored.
and encouragement where needed.
Looking for benefits from new Carbon Farming Initiative The National Indigenous Climate Change research and project team is continuing to evaluate the benefits for Indigenous Australians under Australia’s new Carbon Farming Initiative. The CFI is a voluntary carbon crediting mechanism established by the Australian Government to provide market-based incentives for land activities that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A report drafted by the research team outlines some responses of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to the proposal that Indigenous co-benefits criteria and requirements be made part of the national initiative. A co-benefit means extra benefits of a carbon project which goes beyond the ‘bare minimum’ carbon credit. For example, planting trees may store carbon and create carbon credits but planting the right trees in the right areas may store carbon and also bring back animals,
birds and plants that should be on country as well. The return of animals, birds and other plants could be ‘co-benefits’. As part of the initiative the Australian government plans to create a standard of co-benefits, which can be easily recognised within the carbon market and which will include a national Indigenoua co-benefit standard. While there is general support for the idea that the CFI can have positive outcomes for Indigenous Australians, there is still some uncertainty about whether a national Indigenous co-benefit standard is the best way forward. One of the key issues facing Indigenous Australians, which is outlined in the report, is the need for the CFI legal and policy infrastructure to support the needs, interests and responsibilities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This includes respecting the objects of existing land rights and native title law.
A successful Indigenous Carbon Industry will depend on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s participation in, and rights to benefit from, emerging mitigation opportunities, financial resources, and a well informed community. Relevant information needs to be provided to Indigenous organisations and related Indigenous communities about the potential impact of climate change on already vulnerable communities, and about the possible carbon market opportunities that have arisen.
The NICC project research team was commissioned by the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, People, and Communities (DSEWPaC) to progress the development of draft ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander co-benefits’ criteria and requirements that could be included in the draft regulations. A research agreement between DSEWPaC, RIRDIC and the CSIRO was finalised on 14 June 2011.
The Chair of the NICC Indigenous Steering Committee, Rowan Foley, said the national Indigenous industry standard has the potential for positive outcomes.
For further enquiries or if you require a copy of the draft report please contact Kaliah Alice by email kaliaha@nativetitlesa.org
“The development of national Indigenous industry standards will bring financial benefits and a higher degree of certainty in the market place. The adoption of cultural, social and biodiversity Indigenous co-benefits will add value and has the potential to build positive relationships”.
Information provided by: Robinson, C.J Wallington, T, Gerrard, E., Griggs, D., Walker, D and May, T. 2011. Draft Indigenous co-benefit criteria and requirements to inform the development of Australia’s Carbon Farming Initiative. A report for the Australia’s Rural Industry Research development Corporation and Australian Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, People, and Communities, Canberra.
Aboriginal Way, December 2011 11
